posted 04-04-2001 09:59 PM              

to give you an idea of how bad it is:
he sent out a letter to students titled "am I really tht bad". he has been denied tenure because of all the complaints and class evaluation forms students fill out at the end of the semester. he was trying to evoke some sympathy. it got him two positive, and seventy-five negative letters directed to the dean of arts and humanities.

i've seen him yell, berate, and insult, students. if it is of any comfort,i know of staff that have the same problems with him as students. he is not well liked by anyone i knew of.

posted 04-09-2001 11:38 PM              

del coates.......... cute and fuzzy, i love you del.

posted 04-10-2001 11:58 AM              

I am a graduate of San Jose State Industrial Design. He busted my chops as any of you blown up MALES out there. No, he is *not* easier on women NOR does he sleep with them...admit it, it's because women by nature demand respect so just suck it up boys. He is toughest on the ones who deserved it! The program is *no* cake walk that is absolutely correct. I have had my share of "I don't like what I see start over.." two days before presentation. That comes with the program/territory. Mind you, he is no angel and did some things I did disagree with but that in NO WAY inhibited my _education_ and _opportunities_ presented to us (the students) because he pushed that much harder. We got inside design firms because of his contacts and the high-paying interships that lead students to permant design positions in high profile design firms NOT TO MENTION being in the hub of design(the bay area)with the best Industrial design department of any of them..after being involved in *many* design mixers with other bay area schools and seeing their work.

To-A.Y.: ANYONE has "favorites" who the f**k doesn't? The question for those of you who are bitter about *that* ask yourself what makes a favorite...? Obviously NOT a slacker who bashes the man he is trying to win over. Yeah it's going to cost alot but tell me, what ID dept offers a discount for starving students???

Denise and Anna, HOW can you listen to this trash and determine where your future lies? [Since when does a man rule your world??] Your best approach is to go meet the man and interview him. It is a challenging program but he demands innovation and will help you find it.

To- had him, don't like him: you BET it's a dirty job...would you want that job? if you put shitty designers on the street for being a softy every design firm would turn your students away based on the name you studied under AND you name would be shit in the industry. (Think about your argument before you use it.)

To: anyone - I am sorry you had no voice for yourself and LET him dictate your portfolio. (Tisk tisk.)

Muggle, you hit the nail on the head....all the rest of you should be ashamed.

On a personal note: I had some of the best years of my life and made some of the best friends in that program and as well as graphic and interior designers which made the design experience a brotherhood and FULL of resources to make me successful. Today i am a designer and would have been very disappointed if I let *any* of you convince me that department was not right for me.

posted 04-10-2001 03:19 PM              

Every school has their difficult people hell, even professional firms
have individuals that are harsh and times, passionate, and at time
irrational. Hartmut Esslinger is notorious for being a complete ass at
times.

Tom, Dell Coates, Dave Fleming, Tom Shook, Barry Wingate, and all the
other instructors throughout the years have tried to drive students to
their full potential. It is a competitive and rude world out there and
you need to be strong in your design skills, confidence, and
emotionally.

So how about some props for the program?

Personally I think SJSU has been extremely successful. Look at the list of firms were San Jose State Alumni are at or near the top.

posted 04-10-2001 03:41 PM              

To: dubyah
the key to succeed is:
1. use the faculty as the ultimate resources [simply because they have contacts in the industry to help with research, etc.]

2. make friends in all design/engineering dept's. that way you can bounce ideas off 'em and have some resources to do the impossible while saving time and money. also...just make friends in general...it the brotherhood of the ID gang that pulled us through sleepless nights of design. teaming is necessary evil so may as well start practicing on your own...

posted 04-10-2001 05:41 PM              

Go get a BA degree in fine art.

Or would you like to be challenged creatively, intellectually, and compile a decent portfolio.

posted 04-10-2001 05:56 PM              

This is COLLEGE guys, NOT grade school! You need to network with your fellow classmates. Work with them, and learn with them. Don't expect to have your hand held by an instructor. All they're good for is giving assignments and grades.

Also, you're not gonna go through school being a loner. The more students you network with, the better your chances of learning about design, its process, and anything else design related. Design is a collective process. I know I couldn't have graduated if I didn't network with the students (who are now good friends of mine) in my class.